Android Push Notification Integration

This guide explains how to set up and integrate push notifications into an Android application using Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM). It covers creating a Firebase project, adding the google-services.json file, configuring Android project files, and testing the notifications.

Goal: Enable delivery of push notifications to Android devices via Firebase.

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📋 Prerequisites

Requirement	Description
✅ Firebase Project	Create one at Firebase Console
✅ Android App	Written in Kotlin or Java, with access to AndroidManifest and build.gradle files
✅ Physical Device	Recommended for push testing (emulators may work but physical devices ensure accuracy)

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🧩 1. Firebase Setup

Follow the steps in the document below to create a Firebase project and add the google-services.json file to your project:

Android Firebase Integration

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⚙️ 2. Firebase SDK and Push Notification Setup

🔧 build.gradle (Project-level)

buildscript {
  dependencies {
    classpath 'com.google.gms:google-services:4.4.0' // Keep the version updated  
  }
}

🔧 build.gradle (App-level)

plugins {
  id 'com.android.application'
  id 'com.google.gms.google-services' // Make sure this is added at the bottom  
}

dependencies {
  implementation platform('com.google.firebase:firebase-bom:32.7.0') // Version BOM  
  implementation 'com.google.firebase:firebase-messaging'
}

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🚀 3. Initializing Firebase and Retrieving Token

📝 MyFirebaseMessagingService.kt

class MyFirebaseMessagingService : FirebaseMessagingService() {

  override fun onNewToken(token: String) {
    super.onNewToken(token)
    Log.d("FCM", "FCM Token: $token")
    // TODO: Send token to backend server for push targeting  
  }

  override fun onMessageReceived(remoteMessage: RemoteMessage) {
    super.onMessageReceived(remoteMessage)

    val notification = remoteMessage.notification
    notification?.let {
      Log.d("FCM", "Notification: ${it.title} - ${it.body}")
    }
  }
}

📝 AndroidManifest.xml

<service
    android:name=".MyFirebaseMessagingService"
    android:exported="false">
  <intent-filter>
    <action android:name="com.google.firebase.MESSAGING_EVENT"/>
  </intent-filter>
</service>

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS"/>  

✅ For Android 13+ devices, runtime permission for notifications must be requested.

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🔔 4. Android 13+ Notification Permission (Recommended)

if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.TIRAMISU) {
  ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this, arrayOf(Manifest.permission.POST_NOTIFICATIONS), 1001)
}

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🚀 5. Testing Push Notifications from Firebase

1. Open Firebase Console > Cloud Messaging > Send your first message.
2. Enter a title and message.
3. Click Test on device.
4. Enter the device token (retrieved from app logs).
5. Click Send Test Message.
6. ✅ The notification should appear on the device.

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🧠 Notes and Tips

• Do not share your google-services.json file publicly — it contains sensitive credentials.
• The app’s package name in Firebase must match your app’s actual package name.
• If required, add your SHA-1 key to the Firebase project for authentication.
• To successfully receive push notifications:
  • The notification permission must be granted.
  • The device must be connected to the internet.
  • The FCM token must be sent to your backend correctly.